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Residence permit to require fingerprints
System of Fingerprinting for Iqama goes into effect April 10

Finger printing required for residence permits beginning April 15

March 19, 2010

The Directorate General of Passports will begin fully implementing the System of Fingerprinting for renewal of Iqama (residence permits), effective from 1 Jumada I, 1431 H. [April 15, 2010]. “No Iqama for residents will be renewed without fingerprinting,” announced Director General of Passports Maj. Gen. Salim Al-Buleihid. Describing the gradual implementation of the system, he explained, “In the first stage, two years ago the fingerprinting system was implemented at the airport and international sea or air exit points. In the second stage, it was linked with the issuance of new Iqama, the transference of services and the amendment of Iqama and the issuance of Iqama for lost ones. The third stage of the fingerprinting system was linked with exit and entry visas and final departures. In its current, fourth stage, Passports Administration will complete procedures pertaining to the implementation of the fingerprinting system in all services that are extended to residents who are legally residing in the country.”